Band shell plans taking shape

Comment

By Marc Edwards

Pontiac Daily Leader - Pontiac, IL

By Marc Edwards

Posted Sep. 17, 2013 at 1:26 PM

By Marc Edwards
Posted Sep. 17, 2013 at 1:26 PM

Pontiac, Ill.

The Pontiac City Council got a tentative plan of what the new band shell will look like in Humiston-Riverside Park. The plans have the approval from both the Pontiac Municipal Band and the Vermillion Players.

The proposed shell will have a storage and staging area behind the main stage. City Administrator Bob Karls said no cost estimate has been discussed.

"The Outdoor Performing Arts Center will be used primarily by the Municipal Band and Vermillion Players, but we hope there will be a multitude of other uses and the development of this facility will provide another venue."

Karls went on, "Hopefully it will draw local talent as well as talent from around the area into Riverside Park."

The city administrator was optimistic about the project, adding, "It will have walls and an area for storage, changing rooms and it will be a compliment to the park. This will move the municipal band out of the street and as that venue is developed it will be a whole new area of entertainment for the community."

Karls anticipates having bids let later this year with construction of the facility to start in the spring. He stated he hoped the municipal band could use it for its 2014 season of free Friday concerts in June and July.

Karls also spoke about a vehicle bid by a local dealer that did not come to fruition.

Driscoll Motors had made a bid for a new truck for the street department, which was approved at the last meeting.

"Historically,” Karls said, “The city has used the lowest bid as it's benchmark for its purchases, but in this case we went with a local dealer." Driscoll's tried to have GMC get the truck, but was told that the deadline for getting the vehicle had expired. Chris Brock, street superintendent advised the council because of the problem the city should go with the state bid of $25,105 for a Ford 350 truck.

The city council meeting was conducted by Mayor pro tem Frank Panno as Mayor Bob Russell was absent for personal reasons.

In other action:

--the council approved to seek bids to have sanitary sewers installed on the south side of 4-H Park road. The design work has been completed and sent to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a permit.

--approved a contract with Old Republic Insurance to renew their policy of the Pontiac Municipal Airport for $5,266.

--tabled an item from the agenda concerning the Pontiac Wrestling Club's building at 742 W. Howard Street. The timetable for landscaping work had expired , so the council was advised to contact the club to be at the next meting to discuss why the work hadn't been done.

Page 2 of 2 - --approved the transfer of a small parcel of land near the old train depot back to the city. The transfer is from Illinois Department of Transportation to do work on the high speed rail.

--approved a curb cut at 904 N. Cimmaron Drive so the owner, Steve Mueller, can access his backyard. He also said he would install a privacy fence on the north and east sides of his property.

--approved to close North Walnut Street from Howard to Madison on Saturday October 26th for a block party.

The city council will meet for it's regularly scheduled monthly meeting on October 7th at 7pm in the council chambers.